Note: Alm can float, but he doesn't know it yet, just to avoid confusion. And I changed my mind. Please submit fan mamodos.
Disclaimer: I do not claim the responsibility of claiming the responsibility of claiming the responsibility of claiming the responsibility of owning Zatch Bell.
Chapter 2: My First Spell
Erujo... he deceived me. He took me for a fool that would never become king. Several hours had passed, and the rain had subsided a long time ago. I wonder if it's true. No more Heavenly Alm? A city lay just a few miles ahead of me. I was tired, and I didn't feel I was ready to go in so I lay under the aqueduct and slept for a while.
I dreamed that I was still walking towards the city, but all of a sudden, Erujo shot a laser at me. Then he strangled me to death. I woke up, sweating. Based on the moon, it was midnight. I looked at my hands that I choked Erujo nearly to death with. It was unpleasant to think of what Erujo would do to me once we meet again. Realizing the need for a book owner, I ran towards the city. There were a lot of dark structures with gothic arches. I hope there's someone there whom I can trust. I hope one of my friends is there. Yes, maybe one of my friends is there. But what if I will be betrayed again? Maybe friendship really isn't a concern in this battle.
Too busy looking forward and having wild thoughts cross my mind, I tripped over the root of a melon. "Ow," I muttered as I nursed my knees. I looked up and saw a giant V-shaped object spinning around the melon field. All of a sudden, it vanished. A V-shaped object spinning on the melon plantation? Weird. I stole a melon and continued towards the city.
"Hey! Stop thief," said a voice. A figure ran in front of me with his arms spread open.
"Huh?" I stopped munching on the melon and looked up. "These are your melons?" Maybe he can read my spell book. There was a boy in front of me. He looked to me about 5 years older than me. He had blond hair and was wearing a green robe with a hood behind him.
"Yes, they're mine," he said. "My family's poor. I sell them for money. So tell me, how many melons have you eaten?" He tried to sound casual, but I could sense how serious this means to him.
"This is my first one," I said. "I just came."
"What do you mean?" asked the boy. "I heard noises on my field at least 5 minutes ago, and about 20 of my melons are missing!"
"Then, there must be another thief," I replied. The spinning V.
"That... can be understood," said the boy, noticing my caved-in stomach. I finished chomping my melon and burped.
"Would you mind if I have another one?" I asked.
"Sure, not at all," said the boy. "You look like you're ready to die of hunger." He gave me a melon and began munching on one himself.
"Where are you from?" asked the boy curiously after he sat down next to me, eating his melon.
"Makai," I replied through a mouthful of melon. "Where am I?"
"You are on the outskirts of a city called Tours," said the boy.
"Tours... Hmph, I've never heard of such a city," I said. "But again, I'm on the human world." A few moments passed with each of us devouring our melons.
"So there really is such thing as a Makai," said the boy softly. "Are there any routes us humans can take to get there?"
"Only the Maou can transport humans to Makai," I replied.
"Maou? What's that?" asked the boy.
"Maou is the status of the king of Makai," I said. "And I've come to earth along with 99 other mamodos, or demons, to fight a battle which determines who shall be the next Maou."
"Well, good luck," said the boy.
"But I need a human to help me," I said.
"Well I suppose I can spare a few minutes," said the boy.
"No, it's not a matter of minutes, you fool," I shouted. "The battle can last for years! After all, we hold this battle every millennium."
"So I have to fight beside you for the whole time!?" asked the boy.
"I... suppose so," I said. "Here, can you read this book for me?"
"Okay." The boy received my book and opened it.
"I assume this is mamodo language?" said the boy as he flipped through its pages.
"Yes, except that I can't read them for some strange reason," I said. "All I see now are just weird symbols."
"Yeah, that's what I see," said the boy. Then, he immediately stopped flipping the pages. "H-hold it! I can read something! The symbols are beginning to form words!" The book glowed a bright yellow.
"This book is magical!" said the boy, dropping it on the ground. He shielded his eyes. "Ahhgh! The light!"
"Can you read it?" I asked anxiously. "Read it to me!"
"Very well," said the boy as he picked it up. "Hmm, this is weird. I can only read the words that are glowing dark blue. The first spell,-"
Neshir
My palms began to glow yellow. A ball of energy formed between my hands, and I aimed at the sky. The blast of energy went soaring over the clouds into space.
"That was... awesome," said the boy.
"Yeah," I agreed, finally enjoying the luxury of being able to launch an attack.
"BRIAN!" yelled a voice. A lady stepped out of a nearby run-down straw hut. She had a blue dress and blond curly hair. "Brian what are you doing out here in the middle of the night? And what was that noise?"
"I'm sorry, Elisa," said the boy. "But this thief here stole one of our melons."
"Oh dear god," said Elisa. "I wish we can afford a fence. Now, Mr. thief. You can go ahead and pay us 10 gold coins."
"I'm sorry, I'm... broke," I said.
"Well in that case, do you have a hom-?"
"Elisa," said Brian. "Don't worry. I'll tell you everything. Just give us some time."
"Very well," said Elisa as she went back to sleep. We watched her go back into the broken shed.
"I hope that's not your... house," I said.
"Unfortunately, it is," said Brian as he hung his head.
"Then was that your mother?" I asked. There was a long pause. I looked up and discovered that the moon was directly above the both of us, illuminating the field of melons.
"Elisa's my older sister," replied Brian, apparently deep in thought. "We're orphans."
"Me too," I replied casually as if we were talking about the weather. "So... will you help me become the ruler of Makai? We can... uh... travel together and have an adventure." Brian looked at me deep in the eyes.
"But I've lived here all my life- I can't just get up and take a hike around the world."
"Don't worry," I said as I got up. "I'll protect you, no matter what. Without you, I can never become king."
"Well...," said Brian, thinking really hard. "Alright."
Yess! Finally, a book owner. The crown... is mine.
"I HEARD THAT!" yelled Elisa's voice from inside the straw hut. Elisa burst out the door.
"Heard what?" asked Brian frantically.
"You are NOT traveling around the world with a thief!" screamed Elisa as she stormed up to Brian.
"But.. but it's my destiny!" said Brian. "I can't just stay here and rot on this plantation forever..."
"Who's going to plow the fields? Who's going to plant the seeds? Who's going to sell the melons, you fool?" Half a minute passed with us frozen like that as if we were statues.
"Elisa," said Brian in a calm voice. "Elisa, we're selling the house. We're selling this plantation. And YOU are traveling with me."
"But-"
"JUST DO AS I SAY!"
"Brian," said Elisa. She was ready to burst in tears. "All this, for a thief?"
"You don't understand, Elisa," said Brian. "I really want to go on an adventure. This means everything to me. New people, new places, new... enemies, new adventures. This guy here, he can be trusted. Don't worry about it. He was starved half to death by the time he ate his melon. I let him." Elisa just stood there dumbstruck. Then, she smiled.
"I'm leaving the thinking to you," she said. "Just make sure you know what you're doing." With that, she trotted back to the dilapidated house.
"Ugh, that's a relieve," said Brian. "She actually approved." I just nodded blankly.
"Sleepy, eh? Come," said Brian. "Time for bed. But one more thing."
"Yeah?" I asked.
"WHAT IS YOUR NAME!?" asked Brian.
"Oh, my name's Alm."
"Cool," he said. Then he opened his book.
Neshir
I shot another beam at the sky and gave him a confused look.
"I just love doing that," he said as he closed the book and led me into the straw hut.
"Wake up!" said Brian handing me a melon. "We sold our house!"
"Wow, congratulations!" I said. I could hear Elisa talking to the buyer outside the straw hut.
"Time to begin our journey," said Brian as he stepped out the door and gazed at the sky. There were a few clouds, and the ocean was visible under the aqueduct.
"So, is the melon field ours from now on?" asked the buyer. He was wearing a red vest and had a yellow mohawk.
Lisa sighed. "Yes, it's all yours."
"WHOOOOOOOPEEE!" said a scratchy voice. I looked through a hole and discovered a V-shaped mamodo and his book owner. The mamodo had a white V-shaped head and a white V-shaped torso. He had blue legs and white feet. The mamodo was spinning around the melon patch, grabbing as much melons as he could.
"Brian," I whispered.
"Yes?"
"I'm... sorry for doing this to you."
"...What are you talking about?"
"I-I forced you to abandon your house," I said. "And made you help me fight."
"Nah, it's okay," returned Brian. "I've always wondered what it feels like to travel."
"Glad you do," I said with a smile. "Now, if you please, come here. I want to tell something to you in secret." Brian looked around and came into the shed.
"Listen, Brian," I said. "That V-shaped weirdo, he a mamodo. See his book owner? He's got the same kind of book as my dark blue spell book, except that his is greenish blue. Whatever you do, don't let him notice me. I don't feel like battling right now. And make sure you hide your book too." Brian stood smiling at the V-shaped mamodo.
"Well in that case," he said.
"Hey!" I yelled as he stuffed me and my book into his leather baggage.
"So, Elisa, when are we going to depart?" asked Brian as if nothing had happened. I found an opening from inside the baggage and poked my head out.
"Hey, stay in there," whispered Brian, pushing my head back in.
"As soon as the mohawk guy finds his wallet," said Elisa. "And what's that in your bag?"
"Oh, it's nothing," said Brian eyeing Elisa desperately.
"Here," said the mamodo's book owner. He handed Elisa 100 gold coins. "Oh, and there's one more thing we want to buy with the money I just paid you," said the person with the mohawk.
"What is it?" asked Brian.
"The mamodo in your sack," said the mohawk person, snickering. He took out his greenish blue spell book.
Magurga
"Oh yeah," said the demon as he shot a purple V-shaped beam from his V-shaped head.
"Er-," grunted Brian as he reached for my spell book in his bag, but he ended up grabbing my arm.
"Neshir!" he called out.
"Uh... why are you holding my arm?" I asked.
"WHATT!?" he exclaimed as the attack blasted him and I into the straw hut. The weight from both our bodies made the hut's wall collapse. A second later, the entire roof fell on top of us.
"Brian!" shrieked Elisa who ran towards us.
"Is your house really that broken," I groaned as I got back up. Brian also got up, holding my spell book.
"Ho ho ho, looks like another pair of weaklings," said the V-shaped mamodo. "Mohawk! Finish them!" The guy with the mohawk glared at his mamodo before opening his book. "I'm in not in the mood to be bossed around, Victoream."
Magurga
Victoream, the V-shaped mamodo, blasted Elisa on top of us with his purple beam. She lay on top of the ruins, too astonished to get up.
Neshir
Sitting up, I launched a beam at Victoream.
Magur Yo-Yo
Victoream's arms turned into yoyos with blades. He threw them at us, and my attack bounced right off the yoyos. "No," I groaned as I jumped in front of Brian and Elisa. "Ahhhghkk," I grunted as I shut my eyes in pain.
"Alm," yelled Brian as he placed his hands on top the cuts on my back to prevent further bleeding. "Alm, are you okay?"
"Yes," I panted. Shaking with difficulty, I stood up to defend Brian and Elisa.
"No, Alm, you should take a rest," pleaded Elisa. I ignored her.
"The goal of this game is to burn other mamodo's books," said Mohawk. Brian opened his eyes wide and brought my book close to his body. "Why are you aiming at the demon, Victoream you fool?" Victoream scowled.
"I was aiming for the human, but the demon keeps getting in the way," said Victoream.
Neshir
I shot a blast of energy at Mohawk, who slid away from the attack.
"In that case, I'll blast the demon until he can't defend the human anymore!" yelled Victoream.
Magurga
Victoream shot a V-shaped beam from his head.
Neshir
The two attacks collided with each other.
"Ahgh!" screamed Brian as he felt his energy being drained away from using too many spells.
"What weak newbies," commented Mohawk.
Magur Yo-Yo
"Alm, maybe you should just get out the way and give it a rest," said Brian. The blades were coming closer and closer to me.
"And let the attack kill you two?" I shot back.
"It's not worth protecting us!" said Elisa. "We're just poor farmers with no life at all!" I could feel the yoyos' speeds as the wind from their blades ruffled my hair.
"Still, it's better if I die than I let the attack kill all of us! Besides, I have a strong body. Don't worry about me and run!" I yelled.
One of the yoyos hit my temple as the other went into my stomach. I didn't utter a sound. Slowly, as if time had just slowed down, I felt my body being lifted from the ground, flying backwards, and before I knew it, everything went black. A mixture of Victoream laughing and Brian yelling my name filled my head. Then everything died down to be replaced by darkness and silence.
I felt warm hands touching my head. When my vision sharpened, the first thing I saw was a familiar face, a friendly face, a face that brought back sweet memories from the mamodo world.
"Erujo!"
"Oh, Alm, you're awake," said Erujo as he grinned. I was lying in a warm, comfortable, bedroom. There were bandages on my head and stomach.
"Oh, is he?" said a familiar voice. I turned my head and saw that the voice came from Christine, who was seated on a chair next to a desk.
"Erujo? But why?" I asked. I looked around, jumped off the bed, and went by the window. It was morning. How long have I been knocked out? "Why did you save me? Did you not attack me when you saw me? Did I not almost strangle you to death? Weren't we... enemies?"
"Alm, I'm...," began Erujo. "I'm sorry. I couldn't control myself. I-I really wanted to be the king, but I realized that there was no use of being king if... if..." Erujo suddenly looked down in shame. I kept staring at him in wonder. It's been amazing how much Erujo had changed over time. He seemed... older.
Ow! I fell on my knees put my hand on my temple in pain.
"Maybe it's better if you lie down," said Christine as she picked me up and lay me on the bed. "You must be hungry. I'll go get some bread." With that, she left the room.
"Alm," said Erujo as he flew over to me.
"Yes?" I asked.
"I've finally realized," he said gravely.
"Realized what?" I said looking up hopefully.
"I've just realized... the real meaning of trying to become king," said Erujo as he sat on the bed and tears formed in his eyes.
"Go on," I said.
"It's no use being king if...," said Erujo as his faced me. His face was very solemn and he spoke in a grave tone. "It's no use being king if no one admires you. What's the use of the crown if everyone hates you?" I looked at him curiously. "If we keep attacking each other here on the human world, the mamodo world will be filled with hate and anger. That's why... that's why..."
I couldn't help but feel a sense of pity as a few drops of Erujo's tears fell next to me.
"I'm sorry," said Erujo. "I'm sorry for attacking you in the first place."
"And I'm sorry for strangling you," I said.
"Friends?" asked Erujo, offering me his hand.
"Yeah, friends," I said as I shook it.
"Let's aim for the throne together," said Erujo, actually smiling. "This way, the chance that the king will be kind-hearted will increase."
"So, now that our issues have been solved, can you tell me where I am?" I asked.
"Uh... you're in a city called Tours, I think. Or at least that's what Christine told me," said Erujo.
"Tours?" I let out a gasp. "Oh no! Where's Brian? Where's Elisa? Where's my spell book?"
"We don't know. When we arrived, we only saw you on the ground, bleeding, and Victoream was ready to crush you," said Erujo. "Then, we attacked Victoream and took you home with us while Victoream ran away."
"Were there any other people?" I asked. "Did you see a young man and a young woman?"
"No, but there was an old, broken shack nearby," said Erujo. "But it was empty."
"Oh," I said as I clenched my teeth, bringing jolts of pain to my temple. At least they escaped. I hope they're alright.
"I'm back!" said Christine as she brought back two loafs of bread, one for Erujo and one for me.
"Thanks," I said, munching the bread hungrily. I was starving. "How long have I been here?" Christine sat down and began to do her homework.
"We found you yesterday morning," said Christine, then she glared at her work, apparently deep in thought. "That Victoream will pay." I struggled to get up.
"Where are you going?" asked Erujo.
"Thank you for your hospitality," I said. "But I have to look for my book owner. Maybe we will meet again, then we can team up." At first, Erujo hesitated. Then he smiled.
"Okay, take care," he said.
I turned my back towards him and walked out the door, which led right into the middle of the city. I noticed the aqueduct and began walking towards the place where the straw hut used to be. Maybe they went back. But I don't know. It's been a day. They might be far. Trudging along the aqueduct, I passed a lot of food stores and churches. After a couple of minutes, the straw hut was visible, and a few figures were next to it.
"Brian? Elisa?" I said to myself.
I broke into a run, but I halted just a few meters away from the shed. The two figures next to the shed were none other than Victoream and Mohawk.
"Heheheh, I knew you'd come back," said Mohawk.
"And what's better, you're wounded," said Victoream. "Ready, Mohawk?"
"Let's finish this battle," said Mohawk as he took out a glowing spell book.
Note: OK, you can rest your eyes now. I'm stopping here. I really need to slow down the plot and shorten the chapters. Don't forget that I changed my mind! Submit fan mamodos!